Lakeshore continues to benefit from 'Kroger Community Rewards Program'

The Kroger Community Rewards Program is helping the Memphis Conference’s Lakeshore Camp and Retreat Center. From February through May, Lakeshore received $465 from 36 households participating in the program, according to Bill Walker, Lakeshore’s Director of Development.   Through the Kroger Community Rewards Program, patrons may give Lakeshore credit with each purchase of household items up to $300 per quarter.   Those interested may sign up online at...

John Meeks memorial scholarship established at Memphis Theological Seminary; June 30 is first application deadline

Marilyn Meeks announced the establishment of a scholarship in memory of her husband, John, during the Memphis Theological Seminary (MTS) Alumni Lunch earlier this month. The first application deadline for this award, called the Rev. John Edgar Meeks Memorial Scholarship, is June 30.   John Meeks, a native of Memphis, graduated from MTS with a Master of Divinity degree in 2000 after serving many years as a layperson. According to a press release from the school, he served at Moscow and...

Copies available of Memphis Conference 2012 pictorial directory

While supplies last, copies are available of the Memphis Conference 2012 pictorial directory. The 2012 directory, published by Lifetouch, includes photos of clergy and staff, along with clergy contact info and pastoral records. Most of the photos were taken at the 2012 Memphis Annual Conference in Jackson, Tenn.   Copies will not be mailed. To pick up a copy, visit the Memphis Conference Connectional Ministries Office at 24 Corporate Blvd. in Jackson (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4...

Memphis camp needs volunteers during July

MTRCamp, based in Memphis, Tenn., needs approximately 30 to 40 volunteers per day to help run the event throughout the month of July. The camp itself is an educational program for youth, and “MTR” refers to Memphis Teacher Residency, a program that recruits, trains and supports teachers within a Christian context. Ultimately, MTR hopes to improve student achievement in urban schools.   “MTR(Camp) is designed to help at-risk children maintain their grade-level...

UMW mission study in January at Alamo First UMC will explore, 'Who are the Roma?'

No one knows the complete answer to the question “Who are the Roma?” but Lindia Speer, at least, can help people learn more about the subject. Speer will conduct a United Methodist Women mission study on the Roma of Europe at Alamo First UMC in Alamo, Tenn., on Jan. 25, 2014.  The church will announce details such as starting time later in the year. According to Speer: The Roma, also known as “gypsies,” traveled from India in the 12th or 13th century in a mass...

Moscow UMC begins Hispanic ministry

By Casey Northcutt   Toward the end of 2012, the members of Moscow UMC felt God leading them to reach out to a certain population in their community. Months later, the church hosts a service conducted entirely in Spanish.   Rev. Jim Graham, pastor of the Moscow, Tenn., church, says one of his parishioners declared last fall that God wanted their congregation to begin a ministry for Hispanics.   “I don’t see any Hispanics here,” Graham told the...

Heifer International launches online resource for United Methodists

Heifer International, a global nonprofit leader of sustainable agricultural development for smallholder farmers, is strengthening its connection with United Methodist congregations by rolling out new online resources available at www.heifer.org/umc.    Church leaders and local congregations will find on the site free resources, such as church bulletins, posters, program curriculum for all ages, and ideas for alternative mission trips to help engage church members in ending hunger...

Lambuth Memorial UMC members clean neighborhood and meet neighbors

Nearly 30 volunteers from Lambuth Memorial UMC in Jackson, Tenn., helped clean up residential yards on Saturday, May 11, as a part of the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Project. For this ongoing endeavor, the church partnered with Lambuth Area Neighborhood Association, student groups from the University of Memphis at Lambuth and volunteers from a residential treatment facility to improve the area.   Beginning that morning, Lambuth members and other volunteers cut overgrown bushes, mowed,...

Ross UMC hosts dinner for Dyersburg High School women's track team

Ross UMC in Dyersburg, Tenn., hosted a dinner at its church on May 13 in honor of the Dyersburg High School women's track team. At the lectern are Kenny Lyte of Ross UMC and Amy Beckley, the team's coach....

Asbury Theological Seminary to offer classes in Memphis this fall

Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky., will offer classes at Christ UMC in Memphis, beginning this fall. Read more HERE.  ...

2013 Memphis Annual Conference wraps up four days in Collierville, Tenn.

Click HERE for video.  Click HERE for photos. By Lane Gardner Camp, Director of Communications United Methodists from throughout West Tennessee and Western Kentucky gathered June 2-5 in Collierville, Tenn., for worship, holy conferencing and decision-making.   Lay and clergy delegates, along with visitors and guests, attended the 2013 Annual Conference of the Memphis Conference of The United Methodist Church at Collierville United Methodist Church (CUMC).   Most...

Calloway County United Methodist churches donate $2,500 to medical clinic

Calloway County United Methodist Churches donated $2,500 on May 16 to Angels Community Clinic, a health care facility providing medical services to the working uninsured in Calloway County, Ky. The donations will go to the clinic’s dental program.   Established in 2000, the clinic serves persons who are employed, but don’t have medical insurance,  as well as those who been laid off from their jobs in the past six months.   According to the facility’s...

Grace UMC organized drop-off station that collected $12,000 in donated relief supplies for Oklahoma tornado victims

Throughout Memorial Day Weekend, residents of Jackson, Tenn., donated $12,000 in cleaning and medical supplies to help residents of Oklahoma recover from damage caused by May tornadoes. Grace UMC organized the disaster relief drop-off station in a shopping center parking lot in north Jackson and reported the donation results.   Rev. Joey Reed, the church's pastor, said the supplies were headed to the Sager Brown distribution depot of United Methodist Committee on Relief...

Faith UMC begins new youth group that is injecting life into the congregation

By Casey Northcutt   The past year has been eventful for Faith UMC in Henning, Tenn. Not only has the church begun a youth group but it has begun to raise money for a new activities building, as well.   In September 2012, Faith UMC's pastor, Jim Griffith, met with Susan Davidson, Brownsville District Lay Resource Leader, and Harrell Nation, Brownsville District superintendent, to discuss ways to grow the church.   They realized that although the congregation had...

Jackson First UMC expands recycling practices to be good stewards of God's creation in many ways

By Casey Northcutt   Jackson First UMC in Jackson, Tenn., has already “gone green.” Now it’s getting greener.   This year on Earth Day, the church introduced new, environmentally-friendly recycling practices along with a program emphasizing the need for congregation members to take more responsibility for the environment. Called “Creation Care,” the program involves a team of church members dedicated to improving Jackson First UMC’s...

Memphis Conference churches team up with Habitat for Humanity

At least two Memphis Conference churches have partnered with Habitat for Humanity this year to build houses for those in need. Members from Dyersburg First UMC in Dyersburg, Tenn., and Jackson First UMC in Jackson, Tenn., have each worked to construct a home in their city. Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs houses all over the world using volunteer labor and donations. Partner families purchase the houses through no-profit, no-interest mortgage loans or innovative...

May/June issue of United Methodist 'Sexual Ethics Bulletin' now available

The United Methodist General Commission on the Status and Role of Women has released the May-June 2013 issue of its United Methodist Sexual Ethics (UMSE) Bulletin.   The bulletin includes links to many new articles, events and resources.   Click HERE to access current and past issues.   To subscribe to the UMSE Bulletin, visit www.umsexualethics.org  ...

Memphis Conference DEADLINES

Check back often for new deadlines. Click HERE to submit missing deadline information. June 24: Deadline to register for July 12 listening session of UM Board of Pension and Health Benefits | MORE   June 26: Deadline to register for July 3 - Aug. 14 online course 'Web Ministry 100' sponsored by  United Methodist Communications. | MORE   June 26: Deadline to register for July 3 - Aug. 14 online course 'Welcoming Ministry 100' sponsored by United...

Older Adult Council arranges transportation from Jackson to Festival of Wisdom and Grace in western North Carolina

By Rev. Vida McClure For your comfort, the Memphis Conference Older Adult Council is securing a commercial bus for the Festival of Wisdom and Grace scheduled for July 29-Aug. 1 in Lake Junaluska, N.C. Costs for transportation will range between $100 and $150 per person, depending upon how many register. Participants should register for transportation with Pam Jaco, chair of the Memphis Conference Older Adult Council, by July 1. Call Jaco at Jackson First UMC at 731-422-4002. Festival...

Summer Worship Series Celebrates Centennial with African University Choir, National Speakers

By Melanie Threlkeld McConnell* Lake Junaluska, NC – For 100 years worshipers have flocked to Lake Junaluska , a sacred place for Methodists seeking spiritual renewal and fellowship.  “Standing on Holy Ground,” the theme for the 2013 Summer Worship Series reflects that initial connection between the Lake’s early founders and their desire to seek God in a different way, said Jennifer Martin, interim director of program ministries.  &...